title: Increased incidence of cardiovascular conditions among older adults with pathological gambling features in a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prospective associations between at-risk/problem/pathological gambling (ARPG) and incident medical conditions among older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary data analysis of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, waves 1 and 2, collected from 2001 to 2002 and 2004 to 2005, respectively. Participants are adults aged 55 years and older (n = 10,231) who were selected from a nationally representative community sample of adults residing in the United States. Past-year diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling at wave 1 were evaluated with the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition. Physical health conditions were assessed at wave 1 and wave 2. Logistic regression modeling was conducted on groups categorized as ARPG (participants endorsing 1 or more inclusionary criteria for pathological gambling) and non-ARPG (nongambling/low-frequency gambling or gambling without endorsement of pathological gambling criteria).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative to non-ARPG, ARPG is prospectively associated with elevated incidences of arteriosclerosis and any heart condition, independently of wave-1 sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity, substance use, and body mass index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults who demonstrate risky or problematic levels of gambling may be at particular risk for the onset of some physical health conditions. Individuals with at-risk/problem/pathological gambling features should be monitored more closely for the development of these conditions and encouraged to adopt activities that confer health benefits. Efforts should be made to educate older adults and their caretakers on the adverse incident physical health conditions associated with ARPG.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Biostatistics (CEP), Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT; and Departments of Psychiatry (MNP) and Neurobiology (MNP) and Yale Child Study Center (MNP), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Corey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pilver
authors.forename: Marc N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Potenza
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003710:Demography; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology